CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Sox Skid Increases to Season-High Six Straight Games

Published on July 30, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


Wilmington, DE (July 30, 2009) - One measly run. For the fourth straight game, that's all that has perpetuated Salem's losing streak. Thursday evening saw the Blue Rocks slip past the Red Sox 4-3 in the series opener at Frawley Stadium, despite an early Salem lead and another solid performance from Kyle Weiland. While the Red Sox dropped their sixth straight, the Blue Rocks were victorious for the sixth straight effort, bringing Wilmington to 19-14 in the second half. Salem fell to 17-16, 49-53 on the year.

Salem scored first in a game for the first time since July 19, plating two runs in the top of the first off Wilmington starter Mario Santiago. Kris Negron began his three-hit night at the top of the lineup with an infield single, setting the table for Zach Borowiak's RBI double and Daniel Nava's ensuing single that made it 2-0 before an out was recorded.

Pitching with an early lead, Weiland saw an 0-2 pitch to Blue Rock leadoff man Derrick Robinson laced into right field for a triple. Three batters later, Clint Robinson's sacrifice fly cut the deficit in half for Wilmington. Still 2-1 in the third inning, Anthony Seratelli walked to begin the frame and promptly scored on Johnny Giavotella's sharp double that evened the score at two.

Salem inched ahead in the fifth when Nava began with a double and was quickly driven in by Mike Jones, whose first triple of the year returned the Sox to the driver's seat at 3-2. Weiland held the Rocks at bay through the remainder of his five frames on the hill, allowing two runs on five hits.

Armando Zerpa pitched around a leadoff single in the sixth inning, but could not repeat the feat in the seventh after he walked the leadoff man. Jamar Walton used his free pass effectively, advancing to second on a single from Seratelli, over to third on a bunt from Derrick Robinson, and scoring on a passed ball that skipped past Sox catcher Luis Exposito. Later in the inning, Derrick Robinson came home on Clint Robinson's bases-loaded sacrifice fly to give Wilmington its first lead of the game 4-3.

Salem had chances in their final two innings, but could not capitalize on a leadoff walk in the eighth and were unable to take advantage of a one-out runner at third in the ninth. Will Vazquez chopped into a bases-loaded fielder's choice off Eric Basurto to end the game, giving Basurto is first Carolina League save.

The win belonged to Carlos Rivas, who improved to 3-3 and stymied the Sox for two scoreless innings out of the pen. The loss was handed to Zerpa, his second of the year, after he yielded two runs on three hits and two walks over his two innings of work. Salem fell despite outhitting the Rocks 12-8. Negron led the way with three hits, while Borowiak, Nava, Jones, and Chih-Hsien Chiang each chipped in with two apiece.

Friday night will be Salem's seventh attempt at elusive victory #50 on the season, a 7:05 start against the Blue Rocks. Bryan Price starts for the Sox opposite Michael Montgomery in game two of the four-game set from Frawley Stadium.

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Carolina League Stories from July 30, 2009


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